The British and Irish Lions secured a thrilling series victory over the Wallabies, overcoming an 18-point deficit to clinch a dramatic 29-26 win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on July 1, 2023. Fullback Hugo Keenan scored the decisive try in the final minute, ensuring that the Lions not only celebrated their success but also set their sights on achieving a historic 3-0 clean sweep in the upcoming third Test.
Having already won the first match 27-19 in Brisbane, the Lions will be presented with the prestigious Tom Richards Cup in Sydney after the completion of the series. Coach Andy Farrell expressed immense pride in his team’s performance, calling the comeback victory a “fairytale.” He stated, “This is a dream for everyone in our dressing room. These lads have dreamed of being a British and Irish Lion all their lives.”
Farrell continued, highlighting the significance of the win in front of a passionate crowd of 90,000: “To get to the point where we come to the MCG, with a dramatic finish like that to win the series, is what dreams are made of.” He emphasized the courage displayed by his players throughout the match, remarking, “We are absolutely delighted that we showed the courage of what it takes to be a Lion.”
The last time the Lions achieved a series victory with a 3-0 scoreline was in 1904, a goal that Maro Itoje, the team captain, reiterated as their target. Despite the series already being secured, Itoje expressed a desire to continue their winning momentum. “I think the first time we met, Big Faz made the call; he wants us to go out here and win everything,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, we are absolutely delighted with the result tonight, but we want to go again next week.”
As the Lions prepare for the final match, Farrell confirmed that their approach would remain consistent. “The plan will stay the same—win or lose we trust the plan ahead,” he stated. “We’ll make sure that we enjoy tonight because we’ve just made a bit of history, so we’re delighted with that.”
With the anticipation building for the third Test, the Lions not only celebrate their current achievements but also look forward to the opportunity to make history with a clean sweep against the Wallabies.
